Back again, day 4 since we didn't do anything for new years day. That kinda sucked since we had to cram in 5 days of orientation in 4 days. And there wasn't much to do here. Also today was the start of loading and securing. For those who want to know it is hard work. Carrying the tarps does take some work. I was a little winded but got thru it. SouthPaw,, yes there are some guys your age here. So far everyone made it thru today which I think will be the most physical. You have to carry a 100+ lbs tarp on your shoulder and put it on a trailer, then get yourself on the trailer, pick tarp up again and get it over a coil, then carry tarp back over to where you started and put it down. Climb a ladder, about 13'6 ft onto a container and stand there with your toes hanginging off. Sounds easy but most guys were winded. Only things I miss are home cooked meals,,lol. The lunches are great though, tasty and filling, but for dinner your on your own, and with no fridges or microwaves in rooms, (there micros in hotel) it gets old and expensive ordering out, the Cafe here hasn't been open since first day here for some reason. Sometimes they do a Wal mart trip so you can get some cheaper stuff that you usually buy in vending machines here. One thing for sure, the local delivery shops here must make a killing off TMC oreintation guys,,lol also the vending guys. But other than that its cool here, kinda like school or a summer camp, most of us here get along well and there are veteran drivers around to talk with as well, all a good bunch. There are some complaints but you can never make everyone happy,,, its all in how you see things I guess. Ok time to go people waiting for PC,,, If you have a laptop bring it, as the 1 PC here is quite popular and sometiimes they like looking over your shoulder to see what u doing,,,I hate that.
Thanks for the update Fir. It sounds as if the orientation is going well for you. I'm sure the living out of a hotel will start to get a little old, but keep your mind on the goal. It won't be much longer before you'll be finished with this phase of the training and be ready to move on to riding with a trainer. Good luck and update when you can.
Another day done. More loading and securing, the instructor was a little hard on us and he is very serious and rightfully so, if you are lazy or don't do it right then bad things can happen on the road. Wouldn't you want a driver to know what he is doing and doing it well? We have a test Sunday and will be straping loads down ourselves too. So far we only lost 1 guy on the first day due to medical reasons, the experianced guys are done now as well so that leaves 23 of us now in the inexperianced class. Have the feeling from this point on is where we might start to lose some guys, tomorrow will start early and end late. The test is 70 questions and 20 extra questions. They told us to study tonight. Monday they said we will start on yard and driving the trucks. I need to work on my down shifting thats for sure as I suck, and have to get use to the 13 speed trannys. They are serious here about everything and don't put up with much crap, but we do have some fun and joke around so they are not total hard #####. I hope I make it through. Other drivers have said TMC is a very good company to have on your resume. I would recommend them to anyone but just be able to listen and do what they say, they are paying the bills while you are here anyhow. Its not a walk in the park for thats sure. Ok time to run. Later
FirNaTine, your recounts of your experiences are most helpful. I knew it would be difficult training but that tells me that they must be a quality company because they really want you to know what you are doing. Your right, taking shortcuts on the road would just get you or someone esle hurt. Thanks for giving me a heads up on the training activities and the motel. Hopefully you and all the students will make it. Your downshifting will get better with practice. Good luck on the test. Please continue to keep us posted as you have time
Here again and tired, long day doing loadiing and securing. We had to strap and chain 6 different types of loads today, we broke into groups of 4, its was dirty and challenging but you get a real feel for it and get to know it better. Also took the 70 question test afterwards,, I passed as I think most others did too, just listen and take notes during classes and its much easier. As said before next week is driving and more simulators also we will be backing and night driving, looking forward to that, in fact all the trucks we are going to use are idling right now and will all night as the temps will be going down in single digits tonight. The new class is here now, I haven't seen them yet or know how many are here. We also had one guy from our class drop out, he didn't get on this mornings bus. Word has it he missed his family too much and wanted to go home, a few tried talking him into staying as he already completed 1 week here and that TMC has probably the best home time out of most companies, I think truck driving in general wasn't for him if you can't handle a week away from home. Ok off to get ready for the new week. More updates if I can.
Congratulations on passing the test! Were you tarping those loads as well? Even though it is hard work, it sounds like you are really enjoying it and looking forward to being in your own truck. I'm glad to hear that because it is encouraging to me. Keep up the good work.
I typed out a long reply and the PC here took a dump before I could send it,,lol. oh well here it is again. I'll also update my time here. We didn't tarp any loads, they said your learn that on the road asa each driver has their own way of doing it. I am enjoying it I think its all in how you deal with things and how you see things. Its tiring right now as we have had some long days, like yesterday out at 6 am and back hotel at 10pm, but days as a trucker will be long anyhow. And I have the excitement of maybe starting my time on the road with a trainer. We lost another guy today, I just saw him off in the lobby just now,, he had a lot of problems controling the truck yesterday and today shifting and lane control, rumor has it he almost put the trailer into a ditch, so they cut him . Yesterday and today we were doing yard backing and figure 8's, along with simulator time. Also we started on road driving, first country roads to concentrate on shifting, then today was town roads to practice turning on tight streets and in traffic. They been rotating night driving too, I haven't gotten it yet but guess I will in the next few days. I really need work on my down shifting and the 45 degree backing but getting better than the last day. I think the next 2 days will be interstate and city driving but I am not sure, along with yard exercises. Friday will be our last day. hopefully I'll make it, I am confident but not thinking I have it made, still some wok to do. Funny thing, a guy from the new class that came in on Monday got caught with a bag of urine taped to his leg after the Drs. Physical, they instantly escorted him off the property. Now he is stuck in the middle of Iowa with no way home, how stupid can you be? They even explain that before you take the physical, that if you know you won't pass or you plan to decieve them then tell them and they will pay your way back home, but it if you go thru with the test and u fail or get caught then they won't pay for anything, plus it goes on your DAC. Ok time finish laundry, and get some sleep. Laters
Thanks for the update. Don't worry about the night driving, it's no different than day driving you just have to look a little harder for inattentive pedestrians, animals and vehicles without lights. Also dirty windows are more of an issue at night, particularly mirrors when backing. I'm really chomping at the bit to get to Iowa but the Secretary of States office just blew off testing at our school for the second time which will probably result in me being set back a total of one month from when I should have been done and gone. The school has been good about it though, they voluntarily refunded me half my tuition. Good luck and I hope to see you in the fleet before to long.
I wonder if it was the 13 speed that was giving him trouble, I'm assuming he did go to a truck driving school. He was probably just nervous. Some are born stupid, some take stupid lessons. I think this guy did both!
Thanks for all the info fir. Kepp your head up and you'll do fine. Hope you keep us posted when your'e out with the trainer, if you can. Good Luck.
